BBC plans 'savage' job cuts

18 Mar 2005 12:27 - Staff Reporter

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is planning to cut 1 500 jobs in news and programmes in a second wave of staff cuts, according to reports on Friday. The corporation's governors are believed to have approved the cuts, expected to lead to savings of around 200-million pounds ($380-million).

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is planning to cut 1 500 jobs in news and programmes in a second wave of staff cuts, according to reports on Friday.

The corporation’s governors are believed to have approved the cuts, expected to lead to savings of around 200-million pounds ($380-million).

The public service broadcaster announced last week that 1 730 jobs in professional services such as finance, human resources and marketing, would be cut in a first round of savings.

However, the new round of cost-cutting would involve the loss of around 1 500 jobs in news, sport, drama, children’s programmes, new media and other areas over the next three years.

A formal announcement by BBC director-general Mark Thompson is expected on Monday.

Union officials pledged Friday to fight the “savage” cuts.

“If the figures being circulated are accurate, it represents a devastating blow to BBC news and programme making”, said Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists. - Sapa-DPA